This is play is written dissimilar to every other play I've read. The scenes aren't set up descriptively, leaving much up to the imagination of the reader (or director).
A booth at the [Chinese] restaurant. Moss and Aaronow seated. After the meal. (p28)
Even individual actors positioning, expressions, and directions are mostly left up to the imagination. Throughout the play, characters will just stop in the middle of their rant and say "You hear me? I'm talking to you." (p 97) Each character has their own agenda and they all want to be heard. They have to keep stopping themselves when they see another look away or even just open his mouth.
The end of this play was rather confusing. In the beginning with see a conversation between Moss and Aaronow implying that Aaronow will steal the contracts and leads needed by the sales company to make money. Leads are a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of people who would possibly buy what is being sold. Without this list, it is extremely difficult to find people to haggle with. However, in the end Levene admits to the theft, quoting the same price Moss was offering Aaronow.
LeveneI sold them to Jerry GraffI can't seem to figure out how this exchange occurred, how Moss deciding on Levene after Aaronow was forced into agreeing to do the crime. Unfortunately, this must be left up to the imagination.
Williamson: Who kept the other half?
Levene: Do I have to tell you? Moss. (p100-1)
This play seems to really be about the struggle to maintain a job throughout low times. I see it as this: As times change, people who resist change fail. Throughout the story, the characters refer to their past successes and others' past successes. They mention Jerry Graff, who decided to go against the norm, start out his own, and go after who he goes after differently. He is successful even in the changing times.
Mark Todd
PS. I'm not sure how to handle ellipses when quoting Plays. How do I show a skip in the conversation?
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